Rotatable baffle for kitchen range ventilators



ET AL Feb. 19, 1963 E. GRASWICH 3,077,717 ROTATABLE BAFFLE FOR KITCHEN RANGE VENTILATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25. 1961 INVENTORS EDWARD GRASWICH JACK I4. CEDA/PQU/ST A T TOl-PNE VS Feb. 19, 1963 E. GRASWICH ETAL 3,077,717

ROTATABLE BAFFLE FOR KITCHEN RANGE VENTILATORS Filed May 25, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS EDWARD GRASW/CH JACK w CEDAROU/JTJ ATTOR VS United States Patent Oiilice 3,@7?,'il? Patented Feb. 19, 15.963

3,677,717 RGTATABLE BAFFLE FUR KETCHEN RANGE i VENTHLATQRS Edward @raswich, Walnut Creek, and lack W. Cedarqnist,

San Francisco, Calif., assiguors by mesne assignments,

to Dohrmann Sales Qompany, San Francisco, Caliti, a

corporation of California Filed May 25, 1961, Ser. No. 125,889 4 Claims. ({Zl. 55-4il4) This invention relates to ventilator apparatus for exhausting cooking gases from cooking surfaces in general. More particularly this invention relates to ventilator apparatus employing a rotatable baiiie.

. An object of this invention is to provide an improved ventilator structure for use with cooking ranges and the like in which there is provided a rotatable battle adapted to rotate at speeds of the order of 500 r.p.m.

Another object of this invention is to provide an im-.

proved ventilatorstructure for use with cooking ranges with a rotatable bafiiestructure constructed so as to be able to withstand temperatures of the order of 450 degrees F. under certain operating conditions.

v A further object of this invention is to provide an improved ventilator structure for use with cooking ranges with a rotatable bafi'ie structure that isremovable so that it may be removed and cleaned in commercial dishwashing equipment with steam and detergents.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved ventilator structurefor use with cooking ranges with a'rotatable baffie structure which is provided with a bearing structure that is adapted to Withstand relatively high temperatures under certain operating conditions and which is adapted to rotate at relatively high speeds.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved ventilator structure for exhausting cooking gas from cooking surfaces in which there is provided a rotatable bafiie structure that may be used in any desired position including vertical, horizontal and other positions.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawing. in accordance with this invention, there is provided an improved ventilator structure with a rotatable baffle for use with cooking ranges to exhaust the cooking gases therefrom. This rotatable bafiie structure has several advantage over similar structures in that it is constructed to rotate at relatively high speeds and is adapted to withstand relatively high temperatures under certain operating conditions.

Referring to the drawing briefly:

FIG. '1 is a sectional view showing a ventilator structure provided with a rotatable baffle of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail View of the rotatable bar'lle; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is illustrated an embodiment of this invention employing a sheet metal structure iii defining a passage for exhausting cooking gases from a cooking surface located below the structure. This sheet metal structure is provided with a stack ll extending upward, only a part of which is shown and inside of which there may be provided a motor driven exhaust fan (not shown). The sheet metal structure is also provided with a back wall 12, a front wall 13 and an inn e inclined wall I -i which is provided with a lip forming the bottom wall of an opening which is adapted to be closed by the lire door 15 and through which opening the cooking gases pass toward the opening Ell of the rotatable bafiie enclosure l7. This enclosure is of generally square configuration as shown in FIG. 3 and it is provided with a top wall 18 having a large opening 22 therein and a bottom wall 19 in which the opening 21 is provided. Both the top wall to and the bottom wall ll may be frictionally held in this enclosure or suitable conventional fastening means may be provided thereto so that either one or both of these walls may be removed from the enclosure and the rotatable battle may be removed through the open top. The member 1 of the ventilator wall structure may be made removable so as to provide access to the rotatable battle enclosure for removal thereof for cleaning and servicing if necessary.

The rotatable baffle is provided with a frame at} of generally rectangular configuration and this frame includes a top member dila, side members dill: and llis, and bottom member dilll. The side members lilo and dtlc may be integral with the bottom member 4% and may be shaped simply by bending the end portions of the bottom member 490. into vertical positions. Thereafter the end portions of the top member lilo are attached by welding or the like to the tops of the side members 40b and tile respectively. The ends of the member 4% extend beyond the tops of the side members to engage the in-turned edge portion of the enclosure 17 as shown in FIG. 2 to support the baffle structure in the enclosure.

A round shaft 23 is provided to the rotatable baifie and the ends of this shaft are attached to the top member illa and to the bottom member 46d by means of machine screws 22:: and 21a, respectively, so that this shaft is fixedly held in the frame. The baiile structure is provided wi h a circular plate member 24 and a plurality of vanes 25, each of arcuate shape, are attached to the bottom surface of this plate member by means of rivets 25:: as shown in FIG. 3. This circular plate member 24 is provided with a central hole for receiving a shoulder of the lower hub 27. The upper hub member 26 is positioned over this hole and the two hub members are riveted against the plate member by means of the rivets 28 which hold the hub. members and plate 24 in assembled relation. Bearing members 29 and 30 which are of carbon, graphite or similar material adapted to withstand relatively high temperatures are press-fitted into the central holes provided in hub members 26 and 27 respectively. These bearing members are provided with shoulders which abut the outer surfaces of the respective hub members and extend outward beyond these hub members as shown. Collars 31 and 32 are fixed to the shaft 23 by means of set screws 33 and 34 respectively, and these collars are positioned above and below the bearing members 29 and 30 respectively. The faces of these collars facing the bearing members are provided with polished surfaces so as to function as thrust bearing surfaces for the end surfaces of the bearing members 2% and 3%) whereby this rotatable bai'lie structure may be used in its horizontal, vertical or in different angular positions, depending on the installation in which it is employed.

The vanes 25 are of arcuate construction and they are attached to the plate 2% so that adiacent ones of the vanes define curved channels there'oetween which expand toward the circumference. The cooking gases passing through these channels engage these blades or vanes and impart rotation to the plate member 24 to which they are attached. A sulhcient number of these vanes 25 is provided to the plate member 24 to impart relatively high speed rotation on the order of 50f) rpm. to the rotatable battle structure, t ereby providing a baffle structure having improved efiiciency for removing grease from the grease laden cooking gases being exhausted therethrou h. Also by providing a plurality of these vanes spaced relatively close, the resulting rotatable baille structure provides a relatively large surface of contact for the cooking gases on which the greases to be deposited and collected from the cooking gases may be collected.

This rotatable batlle structure may be subject to cleaning in commercial dishwashing equipment which make use of steam and detergents. The side members 49b and 4B0 of the rotatable bafile structure are slidably positioned in the slides 17b and 17d, respectively, which are attached to the members 17a and 17c. These latter members are attached to the inner side walls of the enclosure 17. Thus the rotatable baffle structure may be removed from the slides 17b and 17d by lifting it up out of these slides.

While we have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention it will be understood that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the form shown so that its scope should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What we claim is:

1. In a ventilating structure for extracting grease from the grease-laden gases of a cooking surface, said ventilating structure being adapted for use at relatively high temperatures, the combination comprising wall structure forming a passage for exhausting cooking gases extracted from above said cooking surface, rotatable grease collecting bafile structure, means for supporting said rotatable baffle structure in said passage, said rotatable bathe structure comprising a substantially flat circular member having a hole substantially in the center thereof, hub means posi tioned in said hole, said hub means having opposing members, means for fixedly attaching said opposing members of said hub means to opposite sides of said substantially flat member so that said substantially flat member is clamped between said opposing members, opposing heat resistant bearing means press-fitted into said opposing members of said hub means, said bearing means extending out of said hub means to form thrust bearing surfaces on the ends thereof, a shaft positioned in said bearing means for rotatably supporting said bearing means, means fixedly attached to said shaft on each side of said bearing means having thrust bearing surfaces for cooperating with the thrust bearing ends of said bearing means so that said baffie structure may be positioned for use in any one of a plurality of positions including a horizontal or vertical position, said battle structure having a plurality of blades attached to one side of said substantially fiat member and extending from the circumference thereof inward and means for guiding flow of the cooking gases through said blades to impart rotation to said bafile structure.

2. In a ventilating structure for extracting grease from the grease-laden gases of a cooking surface, said ventilating structure being adapted for use at relatively high temperatures, the combination comprising Wall structure forming a passage for exhausting cooking gases extracted from above said cooking surface, rotatable grease collecting baffle structure, said wall structure having an enclosure for said rotatable bafiie structure, means for supporting said rotatable baflie structure in said enclosure, said enclosure having inlet and outlet openings therein on opposite sides of said baffie structure, said rotatable bafile structure comprising a substantially fiat circular member having a hole substantially in the center thereof, hub means positioned in said hole, said hub means having opposing members, means for fixedly attaching said opposing members of said hub means to opposite sides of said substantially fiat member so that said substantially flat member is clamped between said opposing members, opposing heat resistant bearing means press-fitted into said opposing members of said hub means, said bearing means extending out of said hub means to form thrust bearing surfaces on the ends thereof, a shaft posi' tioned in said bearing means for rotatably supporting said bearing means, means fixedly attached to said shaft on each side of said bearing means having thrust bearing surfaces for cooperating with the thrust bearing ends of said bearing means so that said baffle structure may be positioned for use in any one of a plurality of positions 4 including a horizontal or vertical position, said supporting means comprises a frame, means for attaching said shaft to said frame, said frme having members for slid ably engaging said enclosure whereby said bafile structure is adapted to be removed from said enclosure for cleaning, said battle structure having a plurality of blades attached to one side of said substantially fiat member and extending substantially from the circumference thereof inward, said blades extending partly over said inlet opening whereby the cooking gases are guided to said blades so to impart rotation to said bafile structure.

3. In a ventilating structure for extracting grease from the grease-laden gases of a cooking surface, said ventilating structure being adapted for use at relatively high temperatures, wall structure forming a passage for exhausting cooking gases extracted from above said cooking surface, rotatable grease collecting 'bafile structure, said wall structure having an enclosure for said rotatable bai'lle structure, means for supporting said rotatable baffie structure in said enclosure, said rotatable baffle structure comprising a substantially fiat circular member having a hole substantially in the center thereof, hub means positioned in said hole, said hub means having opposing members, means for fixedly attaching said opposing members of said hub means to opposite sides of said substantially flat member so that said substantially fiat member is clamped between said opposing members, opposing heat resistant bearing means press-fitted into said opposing members of said hub means, said bearing means extending out of saidhub means to form thrust bearing surfaces on the ends thereof, a shaft positioned in said bearing means for rotatably supporting said bearing means, means fixedly attached to said shaft on each side of said bearing means having thrust bearing surfaces for cooperating with the thrust bearing ends of said bearing means so that said bafile structure may be positioned for use in any one of a plurality of positions including a horizontal or vertical position, said supporting means comprises a frame, means for attaching said shaft to said frame, said frame having side members, slides for slidably receiving said side members, means for attaching said slides to said enclosure whereby said baffle structure is adapted to be removed from said enclosure for cleaning, said bame structure having a plurality of blades at tached to one side of said substantially fiat member and extending substantially from the circumference thereof inward, said wall structure having means for guiding flow of the cooking gases through said blades to cause rotation of said baffle structure.

4. In a ventilating structure for extracting grease from the grease-laden gases of a cooking surface, said ventilating structure being adapted for use at relatively high temperatures, the combination comprising wall structure forming a passage for exhausting cooking gases extracted from above said cooking surface, rotatable grease collecting battle structure, means for supporting said rotatable baffle structure in said passage, said rotatable bafile structure comprising a substantially fiat circular member having a hole substantially in the center thereof, hub means positioned in said hole, said hub means having opposing members, means for fixedly attaching said opposing members of said "hub means to opposite sides of said substantially fiat member so that said substantially flat member is clamped between said opposing members, opposing heat resistant bearing means press-fitted into said opposing members of said hub means, said bearing means extending out of said hub means to form thrust bearing surfaces on the ends thereof, a shaft positioned in said bearing means for rotatably supporting said hearing means, means fixedly attached to said shaft on each side of said bearing means having thrust bearing surfaces for cooperating with the thrust bearing ends of said bearing means so that said bafile structure may be positioned for use in any one of a plurality of positions including a horizontal or vertical position, said supporting means comprises a frame, means for attaching said shaft to said frame, said frame having members for slidably engaging said Wall structure whereby said baffle structure is adapted to be removed from said wall structure for cleaning, said baflle structure having a plurality of blades attached to one side of said substantially flat member and extending substantially from the circumference thereof inward, adjacent ones of said blades defining curved and expanding channels therebetween extending from said hub means substantially to the circumference of said substantially flat member, said well structure having means for guiding the cooking gases to said channels between said blades so that rotation is imparted to said baffle structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A VENTILATING STRUCTURE FOR EXTRACTING GREASE FROM THE GREASE-LADEN GASES OF A COOKING SURFACE, SAID VENTILATING STRUCTURE BEING ADAPTED FOR USE AT RELATIVELY HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING WALL STRUCTURE FORMING A PASSAGE FOR EXHAUSTING COOKING GASES EXTRACTED FROM ABOVE SAID COOKING SURFACE, ROTATABLE GREASE COLLECTING BAFFLE STRUCTURE, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID ROTATABLE BAFFLE STRUCTURE IN SAID PASSAGE, SAID ROTATABLE BAFFLE STRUCTURE COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT CIRCULAR MEMBER HAVING A HOLE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE CENTER THEREOF, HUB MEANS POSITIONED IN SAID HOLE, SAID HUB MEANS HAVING OPPOSING MEMBERS, MEANS FOR FIXEDLY ATTACHING SAID OPPOSING MEMBERS OF SAID HUB MEANS TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT MEMBER SO THAT SAID SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT MEMBER IS CLAMPED BETWEEN SAID OPPOSING MEMBERS, OPPOSING HEAT RESISTANT BEARING MEANS PRES-FITTED INTO SAID OPPOSING MEMBERS OF SAID HUB MEANS, SAID BEARING MEANS EXTENDING OUT OF SAID HUB MEANS TO FORM THRUST BEARING SURFACES ON THE ENDS THEREOF, A SHAFT POSITIONED IN SAID BEARING MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID BEARING MEANS, MEANS FIXEDLY ATTACHED TO SAID SHAFT ON EACH SIDE OF SAID BEARING MEANS HAVING THRUST BEARING SURFACES FOR COOPERATING WITH THE THRUST BEARING ENDS OF SAID BEARING MEANS SO THAT SAID BAFFLE STRUCTURE MAY BE POSITIONED FOR USE IN ANY ONE OF A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL OR VERTICAL POSITION, SAID BAFFLE STRUCTURE HAVING A PLURALITY OF BLADES ATTACHED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT MEMBER AND EXTENDING FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE THEREOF INWARD AND MEANS FOR GUIDING FLOW OF THE COOKING GASES THROUGH SAID BLADES TO IMPART ROTATION TO SAID BAFFLE STRUCTURE. 